Fastener for assembling connecting parts of a collapsible canopy frame

ABSTRACT

A collapsible canopy frame is provided that includes a first collapsible canopy frame component; a second collapsible canopy frame component; and a fastener connecting the first collapsible canopy frame component to the second collapsible canopy frame component. The first collapsible canopy frame component and the second collapsible canopy frame component each define at least one opening aligned with each other. The fastener includes a body portion that extends through the openings in the first and second collapsible canopy frame components; a head portion at a first end of the fastener that laterally extends from the body portion to abut a first outer surface the first collapsible canopy frame component; and a locking portion at a second end of the fastener including at least one shoulder that laterally extends from the body portion to abut a second outer surface of the first collapsible canopy frame component to connect the first collapsible canopy frame component to the second collapsible canopy frame component.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of KoreanUtility Model Application No. 20-2003-0019422 filed on Jun. 19, 2003 inthe Korean Intellectual Property Office, now registered as Utility ModelRegistration No. 2003-25663-0000 on Aug. 26, 2003, the entire content ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a fastener for assemblingconnecting parts of a collapsible canopy frame and to a method ofassembling connecting parts of a collapsible canopy frame.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Conventional collapsible canopy frames typically include multipleside poles disposed in a predetermined configuration. Typically eachpair of adjacent side poles is connected and supported by an edgescissor assembly. Each edge scissor assembly is hingedly coupled tocorresponding side poles through mounting brackets on the side poles.Typically nut and bolt combinations are utilized for such hingedcouplings of the edge scissor assemblies to the mounting brackets.

[0004] For example, such a coupling is typically formed by inserting anend of an edge scissor assembly into a channel formed in the mountingbracket; aligning respective holes in the mounting bracket and the endof the edge scissor assembly; inserting a bolt through the respectiveholes in the mounting bracket and the end of the edge scissor assembly;and threadingly connecting a nut to the bolt until a desired tightnessis achieved. However, this process is undesirably time consuming. Inaddition, it is often difficult for the assembler to determine howtightly the nut is to be fitted to the bolt, often relying on hispersonal experience and judgment. Accordingly, a need exists for animproved fastener and method for assembling connecting parts of acollapsible canopy frame.

SUMMARY

[0005] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, acollapsible canopy frame that includes a first collapsible canopy framecomponent; a second collapsible canopy frame component; and a fastenerconnecting the first collapsible canopy frame component to the secondcollapsible canopy frame component, is provided. The first collapsiblecanopy frame component and the second collapsible canopy frame componenteach define at least one opening aligned with each other. The fastenerincludes a body portion that extends through the openings in the firstand second collapsible canopy frame components; a head portion at afirst end of the fastener that laterally extends from the body portionto abut a first outer surface of the first collapsible canopy framecomponent; and a locking portion at a second end of the fastenerincluding at least one shoulder that laterally extends from the bodyportion to abut a second outer surface of the first collapsible canopyframe component to connect the first collapsible canopy frame componentto the second collapsible canopy frame component.

[0006] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, acollapsible canopy frame that includes a scissor assembly; a mountingbracket; and a fastener pivotally connecting the scissor assembly to themounting bracket, is provided. The scissor assembly and the mountingbracket each define at least one opening aligned with each other. Thefastener includes a body portion that extends through the openings inthe scissor assembly and the mounting bracket; a head portion at a firstend of the fastener that laterally extends from the body portion to abuta first outer surface of the mounting bracket; and a locking portion ata second end of the fastener including spaced apart first and secondarms each having a shoulder that laterally extends from the body portionto abut a second outer surface of the mounting bracket to pivotallyconnect the scissor assembly to the mounting bracket.

[0007] In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, acollapsible canopy frame that includes a scissor assembly; a mountingbracket having first and second arms separated by a channel thatreceives an end of the scissor assembly; and a fastener pivotallyconnecting the scissor assembly to the mounting bracket, is provided.The scissor assembly and the mounting bracket arms each define anopening. The fastener includes a body portion that extends through theopenings in the scissor assembly and the mounting bracket arms; a headportion at a first end of the fastener that laterally extends from thebody portion to abut an outer surface the first mounting bracket arm;and a locking portion at a second end of the fastener including spacedapart first and second arms each having a shoulder that laterallyextends from the body portion to abut an outer surface of the secondmounting bracket arm to pivotally connect the scissor assembly to themounting bracket.

[0008] In still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, amethod of assembling a first collapsible canopy frame component to asecond collapsible canopy frame component is provided. The methodincludes providing a first collapsible canopy frame component with atleast one opening; providing a second collapsible canopy frame componentwith at least one opening; and inserting a fastener into the openings ofthe first and second collapsible canopy frame components such that: abody portion of the fastener extends through the openings in the firstand second collapsible canopy frame components; a head portion at afirst end of the fastener laterally extends from the body portion toabut a first outer surface of the first collapsible canopy framecomponent; and a locking portion at a second end of the fastener definesat least one shoulder that laterally extends from the body portion toabut a second outer surface of the first collapsible canopy framecomponent to connect the first collapsible canopy frame component to thesecond collapsible canopy frame component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Novel features in exemplary embodiments of the present inventionwill be better understood by reference to the following detaileddescription when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

[0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible canopy frameaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown inan expanded position;

[0011]FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of an upper side polemounting bracket of the collapsible canopy frame of FIG. 1;

[0012]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the upper side pole mountingbracket taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

[0013]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a fastener for assemblingconnecting parts of the collapsible canopy frame of FIG. 1;

[0014]FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of upper and lower sidepole mounting brackets of the collapsible canopy frame of FIG. 1;

[0015]FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of upper and lower edgescissor assembly mounting brackets of the collapsible canopy frame ofFIG. 1;

[0016]FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of upper and lower centerpole mounting brackets of the collapsible canopy frame of FIG. 1; and

[0017]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the collapsible canopy frame ofFIG. 1, shown in a retracted position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 1-8, the present invention is directed to afastener for assembling connecting parts of a collapsible canopy frameand to a method of assembling connecting parts of a collapsible canopyframe.

[0019]FIG. 1 shows a collapsible canopy frame 10 according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the collapsiblecanopy frame 10 includes four side poles 12 arranged in a generallyrectangular or square configuration. In other embodiments, however, thecollapsible canopy frame 10 may include any appropriate number of sidepoles 12 arranged in any appropriate configuration, such as pentagonal,hexagonal or octagonal, among other appropriate configurations.

[0020] Each pair of adjacent side poles 12 is connected to and supportedby an edge scissor assembly 16. In the depicted embodiment, each edgescissor assembly 16 includes two scissor units 24. However, in otherembodiments, each edge scissor assembly 16 may include any appropriatenumber of scissor units 24. Each scissor unit 24 includes two hingedlyconnected truss bars 26 that move about a pivot 28 in a scissor-likemanner between an expanded position and a retracted position.

[0021] Each end of each edge scissor assembly 16 is connected to acorresponding one of the side poles 12. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, eachside pole 12 includes a side pole upper mounting bracket 30 and a sidepole lower mounting bracket 32. In one embodiment, each upper mountingbracket 30 is fixedly mounted at a top end of a corresponding one of theside poles 12 and each lower mounting bracket 32 is disposed insurrounding relation to a corresponding one of the side poles 12 and isslidably mounted thereon.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the upper mounting bracket 30 includesa first mounting arm 34 and a second mounting arm 36 separated by achannel 40. The channel 40 receives an end of a corresponding one of theedge scissor assemblies 16. Specifically, the channel 40 receives an endof one of the truss bars 26 of one of the scissor units 24 of acorresponding edge scissor assembly 16. As shown in FIG. 3, the trussbar 26 includes an opening 42 that is aligned with openings 44 and 46 inthe first and second mounting arms 34 and 36, respectively, of the uppermounting bracket 30.

[0023] As described below, the fastener 50 is inserted through theopenings 42, 44 and 46 in the upper mounting bracket arms 34 and 36 andthe truss bar 26, respectively, to pivotally connect the truss bar 26,and hence the edge scissor assembly 16, to the upper mounting bracket30.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the fastener 50 includes a headportion 52 at one end thereof, a locking portion 54 at another end ofthereof, and a body portion 56 extending between the head and thelocking portion 54. The body portion 56 has a generally smooth outersurface. In the depicted embodiment, the head portion 52 is concentricwith the body portion 56, which is generally cylindrical in shape. Inthis embodiment, the diameter of the head portion 52 is larger than thebody portion 56, such that the head portion 52 laterally extends fromthe body portion 56. In other embodiments the head and body portions 52and 56 may have shapes other than those shown in the depictedembodiments as long as the head portion 52 is larger than, and/orlaterally protrudes from the body portion 56.

[0025] The locking portion 54 includes a first locking arm 60 and asecond locking arm 62 separated by a channel 64. As shown for example inFIG. 4, the channel 64 extends from an end of the locking portion 54 andinto the body portion 56 of the fastener 50. The channel 64 enables thelocking arms 60 and 62 to be bent inwardly towards each other when anexternal force is applied thereto. As such, in one embodiment, thefastener 50 is composed of a material that is flexible enough to allowthe locking arms 60 and 62 to bend inwardly towards each other when anexternal force is applied thereto, but resilient enough and including asufficient shape memory to return to the locking arms 60 and 62 to theiroriginal positions when the external force is released. In an exemplaryembodiment, the fastener 50 is composed of a polymeric material, such asa plastic material. However in other embodiments, the fastener may becomposed of other suitable materials having the above describedproperties, such as a metal material or a composite material among othersuitable materials.

[0026] As is also shown in FIG. 4, the first and second locking arms 60and 62 each include a ramp 66 that angles radially outwardly from theend of the locking portion 54 of the fastener 50 towards the bodyportion 56 of the fastener 50. The first and second locking arms 60 and62 also each form a shoulder 68 that laterally extends from the bodyportion 56 of the fastener 50.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3, when it is desired to assemble an edgescissor assembly 16 to a side pole upper mounting bracket 30, an end ofa truss bar 26 of one of the scissor units 24 of a desired edge scissorassembly 16 is inserted into the channel 40 of the upper mountingbracket 30, such that the opening 42 in the truss bar 26 is aligned withthe openings 44 and 46 in the mounting arms 34 and 36. The fastener 50is then inserted in the direction of arrow 61 into the openings 42, 44and 46.

[0028] The ramps 66 of the fastener 50 facilitate insertion of thefastener 50 into the openings 42, 44 and 46. As shown, the openings 42,44 and 46 are smaller than the overall outer perimeter formed by thefirst and second locking arms 60 and 62. As such, sidewalls of themounting arms 34 and 36 and the truss bar 26 compress the locking arms60 and 62 inwardly towards each other (see the dashed representation ofthe fastener 50 in FIG. 3) as the fastener 50 passes therethrough.

[0029] As the fastener 50 passes through the openings 42, 44 and 46, thehead portion 52 of the fastener 50 may be pressed in the direction ofarrow 61 until the head portion 52 of the fastener 50, which is largerthan the opening 46 in the second mounting arm 36, abuts an outersurface 70 of the second mounting arm 36

[0030] During this motion, the locking arms 60 and 62 traverse each ofthe openings 42, 44 and 46. When the locking arms 60 and 62 havetraversed the opening 44 in the first mounting arm 34, the resiliency ofthe fastener 50 allows the locking arms 60 and 62 to move outwardly awayfrom each other, such that the shoulders 68 of the locking arms 60 and62 abut an outer surface 72 of the first mounting arm 34 to lock thetruss bar 26, and hence the edge scissor assembly 16, to the uppermounting bracket 30.

[0031] It should be noted that although the mounting arms 34 and 36 aredepicted as being disposed in surrounding relation to the truss bar 26,in alternative embodiments the mounting bracket may include only onemounting arm and the truss bar may be mounted adjacently to the singlemounting arm. In such a case the fastener extends between an outersurface of the truss bar and an outer surface of the single mountingarm. In another alternative embodiment, the mounting bracket includes asingle mounting arm and the truss bar includes two arms in surroundingrelation to the single mounting arm. In such a case, the fastenerextends between outer surfaces of the two truss bar arms. In each of theabove described embodiments, the surface that receives the fastener endsmay be recessed to protect the fastener against inadvertentdisengagement with the mounting bracket.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, in one embodiment, the locking arms 60 and 62are contained within a recess 80 in the first mounting arm 34. Such apositioning of the locking arms 60 and 62 reduces the likelihood of aninadvertent compression of the locking arms 60 and 62 towards each otherwhich could lead to a disengagement of the fastener 50 with the uppermounting bracket 30. Similarly, in one embodiment, the head portion 52of the fastener 50 is contained within a recess 82 in the secondmounting arm 36.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, the side pole upper mountingbracket 30 may include more than one set of mounting arms 34 and 36separated by the channel 40 for receiving the truss bar 26 of anotherone of the edge scissor assemblies 16 to pivotally mount a desired oneof the edge scissor assemblies 16 to the upper mounting bracket 30 bythe fastener 50 as described above. In the depicted embodiment, one setof mounting arms is offset by another set of mounting arms byapproximately 90°. However, this offset angle can vary depending on thedesired overall configuration of the collapsible canopy frame 10.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 5, the side pole lower mounting bracket 32includes mounting arms 134 and 136 separated by a channel 140 (similarto the mounting arms 34 and 36 and channel 40 described above) forreceiving the truss bar 26 of one of the edge scissor assemblies 16 topivotally mount a desired one of the edge scissor assemblies 16 to thelower mounting bracket 30 by the fastener 50 as described above withrespect to mounting the edge scissor assembly 16 to the upper mountingbracket 30. As with the upper mounting bracket 30, the lower mountingbracket may contain more than one set of mounting arms offset from eachother by a desired offset angle depending on the desired overallconfiguration of the collapsible canopy frame 10.

[0035] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, each side pole lowermounting bracket 32 includes a push/pull pin assembly 49, having apush/pull pin 51 that is spring biased towards the side pole 12. Thepush/pull pin 51 releasably engages the side pole 12, thereby allowingthe height of the lower mounting bracket 32 to be adjusted relative tothe side pole 12. An exemplary push/pull pin assembly 49 is described inU.S. Pat. No. 6,575,656, which is herein incorporated by reference.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 1, the ends of adjacent scissor units 24 in eachedge scissor assembly 16 are pivotally mounted to an edge scissorassembly upper mounting bracket 90 and an edge scissor assembly lowermounting bracket 92. The upper and lower mounting brackets 90 and 92each include mounting arms 234/334 and 236/336 separated by a channel240/340 (similar to the mounting arms 34 and 36 and channel 40 describedabove) for receiving the truss bar 26 of one of the adjacent scissorunits 24 to pivotally mount the desired scissor unit 24 to the upper andlower mounting brackets 90 and 92, respectively, by the fastener 50 asdescribed above with respect to mounting the edge scissor assembly 16 tothe side pole upper mounting bracket 30. The upper and lower mountingbrackets 90 and 92 each contain one set of mounting arms offset fromanother set of mounting arms, such that each set of mounting armsreceives a corresponding one of adjacent scissor units 24.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, each edge scissor assembly 16 is coupled toand supports a center pole 18 through an inner scissor assembly 20. Thecenter pole 18 is disposed generally at the center of the collapsiblecanopy frame 10 and has a head member 22, such as a convex shaped headmember, which supports a canopy cover (not shown). Similar to the edgescissor assembly 16, the inner scissor assembly 20 includes one of morescissor units 24 each having two hingedly connected truss bars 26 thatmove about a pivot 28 in a scissor-like manner between an expandedposition and a retracted position.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 6, each upper and lower mounting bracket 90 and92 also includes mounting arms 234′/334′ and 236′/336′ separated by achannel 240′/340′ (similar to the mounting arms 34 and 36 and channel 40described above) for receiving the truss bar 26 one of the inner scissorassemblies 20 to pivotally connect a desired one of the inner scissorassembly 20 to a corresponding edge scissor assembly 16 through theupper and lower mounting brackets 90 and 92 by the fastener 50 asdescribed above with respect to mounting the edge scissor assembly 16 tothe side pole upper mounting bracket 30.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, an end of each inner scissor assembly 20 isconnected to the center pole 18 by upper and lower center pole mountingbrackets 108 and 110. As shown in FIG. 7, the upper and lower centerpole mounting brackets 108 and 110 each include mounting arms 534/634and 536/636 separated by a channel 540/640 (similar to the mounting arms34 and 36 and channel 40 described above) for receiving the truss bar 26of a desired one of the inner scissor assemblies 20 to pivotally connectthe inner scissor assembly 20 to the center pole 18 the fastener 50 asdescribed above with respect to mounting the edge scissor assembly 16 tothe side pole upper mounting bracket 30. The upper and lower center polemounting brackets 108 and 110 may contain more than one set of mountingarms offset from each other by a desired offset angle depending on thedesired overall configuration of the collapsible canopy frame 10

[0040] In one embodiment, the lower center pole mounting bracket 110 isfixedly mounted at a bottom end of the center pole 18 and the uppercenter pole mounting bracket 108 is disposed in surrounding relation tothe center pole 18 and is slidably mounted thereon.

[0041] When the collapsible canopy frame 10 according to the presentinvention is constructed as described above, the collapsible canopyframe 10 is moveable between an expanded position (forming a stableportable structure as shown in FIG. 1), and a retracted position(forming a compacted structure for ease of transport as shown in FIG.8.)

[0042] It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art thatthe invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential character thereof. The present invention istherefore considered in all respects to be illustrative and notrestrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appendedclaims, and all changes that come within the meaning and range ofequivalents thereof are intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A collapsible canopy frame comprising: a firstcollapsible canopy frame component; a second collapsible canopy framecomponent; and a fastener connecting the first collapsible canopy framecomponent to the second collapsible canopy frame component, wherein thefirst collapsible canopy frame component and the second collapsiblecanopy frame component each define at least one opening aligned witheach other, and wherein the fastener comprises: a body portion thatextends through each said opening, a head portion at a first end of thefastener that laterally extends from the body portion to abut a firstouter surface of the first collapsible canopy frame component, and alocking portion at a second end of the fastener comprising at least oneshoulder that laterally extends from the body portion to abut a secondouter surface of the first and collapsible canopy frame component toconnect the first collapsible canopy frame component to the secondcollapsible canopy frame component.
 2. The collapsible canopy frame ofclaim 1, wherein the locking portion comprises spaced apart first andsecond arms that each define a corresponding one of said at least oneshoulder.
 3. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 2, wherein the firstand second arms are movable towards each other.
 4. The collapsiblecanopy frame of claim 2, wherein the first and second arms each comprisea flexible, resilient material with shape memory.
 5. The collapsiblecanopy frame of claim 3, wherein the body portion has a generally smoothouter surface.
 6. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 3, wherein eacharm comprises an angled portion that extends from a tip of the lockingportion to an edge of a corresponding one of the shoulders to form aramp.
 7. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 1, wherein the firstcollapsible canopy frame component is a mounting bracket attached to aside pole of the collapsible canopy frame and the second collapsiblecanopy frame component is an edge scissor assembly.
 8. The collapsiblecanopy frame of claim 1, wherein the first collapsible canopy framecomponent is an edge scissor assembly mounting bracket and the secondcollapsible canopy frame component is an edge scissor assembly.
 9. Thecollapsible canopy frame of claim 1, wherein the first collapsiblecanopy frame component is an edge scissor assembly mounting bracket andthe second collapsible canopy frame component is an inner scissorassembly.
 10. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 1, wherein the firstcollapsible canopy frame component is a mounting bracket attached to acenter pole of the collapsible canopy frame and the second collapsiblecanopy frame component is an inner scissor assembly.
 11. The collapsiblecanopy frame of claim 1, wherein the head portion is contained within arecess formed in said first outer surface.
 12. The collapsible canopyframe of claim 1, wherein the locking portion is contained within arecess formed in said second outer surface.
 13. A collapsible canopyframe comprising: a scissor assembly; a mounting bracket; and a fastenerpivotally connecting the scissor assembly to the mounting bracket,wherein the scissor assembly and the mounting bracket each define atleast one opening aligned with each other, and wherein the fastenercomprises: a body portion that extends through each said opening, a headportion at a first end of the fastener that laterally extends from thebody portion to abut a first outer surface of the mounting bracket, anda locking portion at a second end of the fastener comprising spacedapart first and second arms each having a shoulder that laterallyextends from the body portion to abut a second outer surface of themounting bracket to pivotally connect the scissor assembly to themounting bracket.
 14. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 13, whereinthe first and second arms are movable towards each other.
 15. Thecollapsible canopy frame of claim 13, wherein the first and second armseach comprise a flexible, resilient material with shape memory.
 16. Thecollapsible canopy frame of claim 14, wherein the body portion has agenerally smooth outer surface.
 17. The collapsible canopy frame ofclaim 14, wherein each arm comprises an angled portion that extends froma tip of the locking portion to an edge of a corresponding one of theshoulders to form a ramp.
 18. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 13,wherein the mounting bracket is attached to a side pole of thecollapsible canopy frame and the scissor assembly is an edge scissorassembly.
 19. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 13, wherein themounting bracket is an edge scissor assembly mounting bracket and thescissor assembly is an edge scissor assembly.
 20. The collapsible canopyframe of claim 13, wherein the mounting bracket is an edge scissorassembly mounting bracket and the scissor assembly is an inner scissorassembly.
 21. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 13, wherein themounting bracket is attached to a center pole of the collapsible canopyframe and the scissor assembly is an inner scissor assembly.
 22. Acollapsible canopy frame comprising: a scissor assembly; a mountingbracket comprising first and second arms separated by a channel thatreceives an end of the scissor assembly; and a fastener pivotallyconnecting the scissor assembly to the mounting bracket, wherein thescissor assembly and the mounting bracket arms each define an opening,and wherein the fastener comprises: a body portion that extends througheach said opening, a head portion at a first end of the fastener thatlaterally extends from the body portion to abut an outer surface of thefirst mounting bracket arm, and a locking portion at a second end of thefastener comprising spaced apart first and second arms each having ashoulder that laterally extends from the body portion to abut an outersurface of the second mounting bracket arm to pivotally connect thescissor assembly to the mounting bracket.
 23. The collapsible canopyframe of claim 22, wherein the mounting bracket is attached to a sidepole of the collapsible canopy frame and the scissor assembly is an edgescissor assembly.
 24. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 22, whereinthe mounting bracket is an edge scissor assembly mounting bracket andthe scissor assembly is an edge scissor assembly.
 25. The collapsiblecanopy frame of claim 22, wherein the mounting bracket is an edgescissor assembly mounting bracket and the scissor assembly is an innerscissor assembly.
 26. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 22, whereinthe mounting bracket is attached to a center pole of the collapsiblecanopy frame and the scissor assembly is an inner scissor assembly. 27.A method of assembling a first collapsible canopy frame component to asecond collapsible canopy frame component comprising: providing a firstcollapsible canopy frame component with at least one opening; providinga second collapsible canopy frame component with at least one opening;inserting a fastener into said opening such that: a body portion of thefastener extends through each said opening; a head portion at a firstend of the fastener laterally extends from the body portion to abut afirst outer surface of the first collapsible canopy frame component; anda locking portion at a second end of the fastener defines at least oneshoulder that laterally extends from the body portion to abut a secondouter surface of the first collapsible canopy frame component to connectthe first collapsible canopy frame component to the second collapsiblecanopy frame component.
 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the lockingportion of the fastener has spaced apart first and second arms that eachdefine a corresponding one of said at least one shoulder, such that thefirst and second arms move towards each other during said inserting. 29.The method of claim 28, wherein each of the first and second arms has aramp that extends from a tip of the locking portion to an edge of acorresponding one of the shoulders, such that an application of anexternal force on said ramp allows the first and second arms to movetowards each other.
 30. The method of claim 27, further comprisingforming the body portion of the fastener with a generally smooth outersurface.
 31. The method of claim 27, wherein the first collapsiblecanopy frame component is a side pole mounting bracket and the secondcollapsible canopy frame component is an edge scissor assembly.
 32. Themethod of claim 27, wherein the first collapsible canopy frame componentis an edge scissor assembly mounting bracket and the second collapsiblecanopy frame component is an edge scissor assembly.
 33. The method ofclaim 27, wherein the first collapsible canopy frame component is anedge scissor assembly mounting bracket and the second collapsible canopyframe component is an inner scissor assembly.
 34. The method of claim27, wherein the first collapsible canopy frame component is a centerpole mounting bracket and the second collapsible canopy frame componentis an inner scissor assembly.